Monday, May 15, 2017

15~ Chicken Inspiration

Maria and I love Mako, who is by far our mildest and friendliest hen. She loves to be pet, to be held, to be admired and sheltered. She's not exactly at the bottom of the pecking order, but those Silver-laced Wyandotte hens are way too much, and Mako has a rough go. Sit with us, Mako. We will make sure you get a share of the treats, and loads of loving.

Does anyone remember when I made it Year of the Shelf, here at the Bird House? My factory had a temporary shut-down, when Frankenrouter broke down, but that's over now. Geoff manufactured new parts for our homemade CnC mill, and he rebuilt the computer... it's all been quite an undertaking. At last, Frankenrouter is humming again. Geoff wasted no time putting the mill to work, and he cut and rough sanded 35 of my shelves. Thirty-five! I've never known Geoff to do anything in a small way... he is generous, all the way!

Now, I am fine-sanding the pieces, preparing them for gluing and painting. And lo! I do have my work cut out for me... literally! It's happy work, and as you can see, I have happy company! The chickens, both inspiration and distraction, were fascinated by my busy activity. If I can read their wee minds, I believe they were astonished that so much effort produced no edible treats!

Also, Lady Thompson wanted me to observe that she ought to be the model for my next design, and rightly so. My first effort looks plain and silly compared with her noble visage.

Sanding shelves, with Maria by my side, talking about school today, and summer, next month. Finishing the rough edges, smoothing the burrs, with all of my dear chicas milling about... it was a good pastime.

This is Thompson, or Thomson, or Tamsyn. The pretty Cuckoos all look alike.

Followers

Chirp-Chirp-Chirp BirdHouse Notes

I'd like to buy the world a heating pad. This is my current obsession. Thank you, Mahshid. She came over, gave me support and tools for healing, and she advised me to use a heating pad. My Mom bought one for me... and it's been amazing. It covers my back, and has flaps that drape over my shoulders. I use it on the low setting, and even though I haven't felt particularly "cold," the warmth is relaxing, calming, comforting, good. I suspect it may be one of those "obvious" things that I am lately discovering, but in case you don't know: Use a heating pad.

December 18,2018

8:57 am

I drove today. It was to test drive a 2018 Honda Odyssey. Guess what... they're space age fancy and smell like power. I skipped the freeway and just took it around the block. Honestly, I'm not exactly ready for primetime. And all day long as we compared the pros and cons of mini-vans, trucks, foreign, or domestic... my brain kept interjecting, "Let's just drive JettPuff a few more years." But that is not an option.

December 15, 2018

9:05 pm

“Keep a record of your injuries, and pain.” For the record, the pain tonight is awful. Left arm: hurts. Right shoulder: frozen in pain. Abdomen: twingy, tender. Neck and jaw: sore, tense. Still having headaches. My best progress: Accepting, and seeking help. Also hard: Canceling some of our holiday plans.

December 12, 2018

11:10 pm

I don’t know what to do with myself. Resting makes me stiff and feeling useless. Being “useful” makes me tired, woozy... sometimes words hang in mid-air, just out of reach. I find new bruises. The accident replays in my mind. I’m sad, and starting to feel mad... she destroyed things, plans, peace of mind. I’ll post this here... temporary. I’ll be glad to move on.

December 9, 2018

All of my wisdom about “relaxing...” well, it may have done some good, up to a point. I had a better and better day and felt even more buoyed after a lunch treat with Paul and Janece. But. But I went to the market for bread to go with the soup I made (I’m rambling, I know. Bear with me.) To the point: Another driver turned into my lane and because she did it from a right turn, I never had an inkling of her being in my view. It was a horrifying head-on collision. I doubt either of us even braked. In no time I had a clear road, in both directions and then just her car hurling into my poor Jett Puff. Air bag. Ambulance. It’s a long story. And maybe I’m looking for silver linings, but I like to think my car made a last heroic act, and my last sensation, before disaster, was... I’m happy, relaxed. I’m also concussed, so if none of this makes sense... well, there you go.

Out To Lunch :: I am so lucky!

December 6, 2018

12:27 pm

Confession: I am making myself miserable worrying about my utter lack of "professionalism." Tonight I will be attending a holiday party for "Art Leaders" in San Diego. Leaders. Art Leaders! This feels so portentous and full of opportunities, but I am struggling with imposter syndrome, rusty skills, and no business cards. Also, I put some art (ok just 1 print) on a selling site, and again, I am plagued with nameless dread and doubt. My dreams and hopes do not match my confidence and nerve.

December 5, 2018

11:53 am

It rained and rained and rained. The garden is happy. The goats are dismayed. All is well.